Carlow University is a CREATE Lab satellite. CREATE is a Community Robotics, Education, and Technology Empowerment Lab. Its mission is to “explore socially meaningful innovation and deployment of robotic technologies.” As part of this lab, Carlow’s education faculty have access to new STEM technologies and are able to pilot the use of these technologies in the education program. Thus, we are pleased to offer a Graduate Certificate in STEM Teaching.

Requirements

August and January Start Dates

No GRE required

$4995 tuition* (employer reimbursement encouraged)

In order to teach in a 21st century classroom, it is essential for every teacher to be equipped with the skills necessary to integrate Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) into the curriculum. The National Science Foundation remarks that “In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered in the past.” Twenty first century STEM education is multidisciplinary, integrated, collaborative, and innovative. It embraces constructivism, progressivism, and prepares students for living, working, and thriving in a 21st century future. Twenty first century education respects people, humanity, and provides access for understanding, connecting, and embracing cultural, familial, circumstantial, and individual differences and similarities.

Students will apply, demonstrate, and assess an integrated STEM approach in the curriculum course through collaboratively designing an integrated STEM curriculum. Students will be introduced to coding using Scrach, Snap, Visual Programmer, and Python. They will be introduced to technologies such as Flutter, Finch, Hummingbird, EarthTime, Circuit Blocks, Speck, and Vex Robotics. They will examine ethical issues, current research, contemporary inquiry models of learning and teaching, and culminate their learning with an action-based research STEM project they will implement in their classrooms or field site. To enroll or get answers to your questions, please contact Admissions at 412.578.6059 or by email at admissions@carlow.edu

The content, practices, pedagogy, and methodology have been developed from:

Course Information

ED 703 Logical and Mathematical Development

Fostering logical and mathematical thinking in students requires knowledge of cognitive development, the ability to assess readiness levels, the ability to plan an environment for student’s exploration and discovery, and an understanding of strategies that foster curiosity, scientific inquiry, and autonomous learning. The theoretical basis of this course is drawn from the work of Piaget, Vygotsky, and other cognitive psychologists. Constructivist approaches to learning will be emphasized, as well as growth mindsets, as students explore ways that student acquire knowledge about the physical world. Practical aspects of this course will consist of experiential activities in math and science and integrated STEM experiences that prepare adults to maximize student’s development of logical thinking skills through activities, interactions, and environmental organization. Learners will demonstrate understanding and use of the Pennsylvania common core standards for Mathematics, the PA early learning standards and Core Knowledge Competencies, the Pennsylvania standards for “approaches to learning”, and the New Generation Science Standards.

ED 740 STEM Models

Students will explore various integrated STEM models for learning and teaching that enable a learner to develop tech fluency. Tech fluency is comprised of inquiry, case-making, and advocacy. Students explore how tech fluency serves as a catalyst for engagement, empathy, collaboration, connection, and learning to help their students solve important and relevant problems.

ED 728 Interdisciplinary Models of Teaching and Learning

The course engages learners in thinking about meaningful work with student. Students will engage in cross-disciplinary content instruction and pedagogical strategies for implementing STEM foundations and curricula into the classroom through aesthetic modalities. Learners will demonstrate competencies that include planning and organization; assessment of learning; reflection on teaching; interdisciplinary collaboration; and inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning.

ED 744 Computational Thinking and Robotics

Computational thinking skills are essential 21st century classroom skills. Robotics provides a unique opportunity for computational thinking as students integrate programming, engineering design, mathematics, and the humanities to solve problems in learning environments that require computational thinking skills such as algorithms, decomposition, abstraction, and pattern recognition. Students will explore Hummingbird and Vex Robotic Systems.